{Ed002's Note - Hull have a cheapish option to buy Niasse at the end of his loan so we will see at the end of teh season. Lukaku will look to move on to achieve his goal of playing football at the highest level - Everton are at fault for screwing up the contract situation. Spurs interest in Ross Barkley has waned - we need to see if anyone pushes for him. Tom Cleverley has both Newcastle and Watford interested and Milan, subject to resolving another issue, want to make the loan of Gerard Deulofeu permanent.}

1.) 31 Mar 2017 11:00:00
Cheapish? I read a report that it was a £10m option so is that what represents cheapish?

2.) 01 Apr 2017 03:44:07
Cleverly has gone previous reports quoted 9 million which is a profit since we got him on a Free. Niasse is also in 8-10 million apparently. How did Everton screw up contract negotiations?
Ross was never likely to move I believe his agents are stirring the pot to get a better ideal, he loves playing for the Blues. just my opinion.
Wellzee.

07 Feb 2017 11:14:34
Ed's, anyone, any sign of existing players signing new contracts? Namely Barkley and Robles who's contracts expire in less than 18 months. Lukaku has a little over 2 years left on his and there was talk of him signing a new one before Christmas. Albeit from his agent who may have been trying to ignite interest.

These are 3 players I'd certainly like to see tied down. I'm sure there are probably one or two others that I'm not aware of whose coming to the end of their contracts also.

NBTB

{Ed001's Note - I don't know about Robles, but Barkley was keen to get a new contract and expected to sign one before the summer.}

4.) 08 Feb 2017 08:38:41
Read an article that Lukaku signed a contract last December earning over £100,000 a week and has a get out clause of £80m. It also said Chelsea are going to give that amount in the summer as Costa is going to China after the bust up with Conte.

What a load of ballony! As you say Ed025 he did not sign the contract last December. Shows how much the papers make up.

21 Jan 2017 23:49:48
There is no longer a top 6 in the premiership. There is a top 7 and we are in it. According to Pulis anyway. He's neutral so that's good enough for me.

Next I expect us to be a major force within that top 7. Going to be a good summer.

NBTB

10 Jan 2017 22:48:10
Ed002 any info on the future of some players that possibly might be leaving Everton. Namely Gibson, Cleverly, McCarthy and the 2 that there are rumours about Niasse and Kone. Apparently Hull and QPR are their destinations.

Just wondering does it look like any leaving us this month? Happy with the way the incomings are developing. If we get MS it will be a good window even if its stopped at that.

NBTB

{Ed002's Note - Niasse will almost certainly go to Hull. McCarthy interests Celtic and Crystal Palace with West Brom and Newcastle United probably out-muscled in their interest.}

Also what's the story with financial fair play? Technically are we allowed to have a net spend of the reported £100m we are supposed to be spending this summer.

NBTB

{Ed002's Note - Southampton made an enquiry about Sneijder in December 2014 but didn't follow it up - although it substantiates that there has been interest from Kopeman in the past. Lazio have discussed him with Galatasaray but they have stepped back because of the wages being demanded. Their possible willingness to sell in the summer may be driven by a need to reduce wages rather than any transfer fee as he is still seen as an asset by the club - but the club has a European ban to deal with. Forget anything about any release clause. I am not aware of any firm interest from Everton at this time but it doesn't mean that there isn't.

The additional income is in next season's budget (starting July 1) and comes from the additional television money. If there is an issue it might be wages rather than transfer fees.}

19 Nov 2017 23:30:28
Bit of a delayed reaction but I'd like to say well done to Aaron Lennon on his performance Saturday. He had a hard couple of months but showed there is still plenty of fight left in him. Good on ya Aaron lad, keep it up. Let's hope some of your positivity rubs off on the other players now you were given a chance. God knows they need it.

NBTB

1.) 20 Nov 2017 02:39:35
Lennon is under appreciated, he gives his all every game, offers great cover for the right back and closes every ball down. If people remember a few seasons ago he sparked life back into the team with his effort, which gave everyone else a kick up the arse. Niasse is doing the same now. The rest of the more 'talented senior players' need to show more commitment.

2.) 20 Nov 2017 09:22:31
Always been a good player and what you see is what you get, he just appears not to be to all Managers tastes. As others have said if the rest of the side followed Lennons and dare I say it Niasses attitude (not the dive obviously) , we would not be in this position. The more illustrious players need to start showing up. As to the Manager situation, not more can be said to the Echo Headline.

3.) 20 Nov 2017 13:35:22
I was more referring to what happened him at the end of last season in his personal life. He not only got over that but also got over not getting picked since the beginning of the season. Then put in a very good performance taking all that into consideration. Keep it up Aaron. Good to have the likes of ya around Everton F. C.

16 Sep 2017 13:54:46
Let's put things into perspective and not get carried away with 4 games out of 38. We have had a bad start. No doubt. I'm as annoyed as anyone about that but pointing the finger and creating the blame benefits no one.

I fancy our chances against Utd. A draw is very possible imho. No doubt some are having a good chuckle reading that. As I said let's put things into perspective.

Man Utd had West Ham, Leicester, Swansea and Stoke. We had Stoke, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham. We managed to do what Utd couldn't do and that's beat Stoke. They drew there last game. I expect a big reaction from our players tomorrow. Will West Ham, Leicester or Swansea finish in the top half of the league?

You can bet City, Chelsea, Tottenham and more than likely Stoke will. Some people were on about the gap between us and the top 6. Well it is a massive gap between Swansea, West Ham and Leicester and the top 6. All of Utd's opposition. Our opposition had City, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Call me mad but a draw is possible and I for one will be supporting our great club tomorrow. I defiantly won't be putting any of the players or management down. They had a very tough start and are trying their best to Chang things for the better.

Our club never got as big of an overhaul in its history as the last year. It won't improve things over night but I have no doubt in my mind we will change for the better sooner rather than later.

NBTB

1.) 16 Sep 2017 14:33:14
I'm not too bothered by the results. It's the way we have played that is disturbing. No shape, no passion, no pace no tempo to our play. Abject. It does not matter who you are playing some things are a given and the players and manager have failed to deliver anything resembling a respectable level of performance so far this season. That's why people are worried not the results.

2.) 16 Sep 2017 14:47:01
I hope you are right mate. Don't see Koeman making many changes and he will not play Kenny for example. He is pretty stubborn and will continue to play his way, just hope that the players can adapt to whatever his game plan is. The games after United should get easier, if any game is easy in the Premier League, and we should see some wins. If not, then is the time to start getting worried.

3.) 16 Sep 2017 15:36:46
Guys. A win tomorrow will put us 1 point better off than last season and I like you NBTB think we can get a draw or a win against them but most importantly a good performance is required. Koeman has had a word so if we don't see an improvement then that would be a worry.

5.) 16 Sep 2017 16:13:46
I hear what your saying Svenny about the performance but it will come once Koeman knows what he has better. I agree 1940Mike he is a bit stubborn. I know from reading your posts that you have been following Everton for many decades. Longer than me. Can you remember a bigger transformation than what's happening right now at our great club?

6.) 16 Sep 2017 18:55:14
We have been atrocious this season. Not one performance has been good enough by our players and our manager has also let us down. Very badly.

We have bought well but these players have put performances in that are worse than anything produced under Martinez. By a mile.

HOWEVER, one difference is a lack of acceptance by the manager and the fact he highlighted and recognised the same issues we all saw. This isn't a manager that is blind and he certainly doesn't sound like he will accept these performances either.

I'm not saying he will fix it either but I have more faith in a manager that can see the problems unlike Martinez who literally drove me crazy with his inability to see the issues.

So I can give Koeman more time. I can trust that he knows the problems and is looking to solve them. He has plenty of making up to do and at least a more competitive performance against United would be a start.

Ultimately though, these players need to start working harder and together. If they do that results and performances will come. If they don't they'll see a change of manager before Christmas.

8.) 16 Sep 2017 19:57:15
No NBTB Iv'e never seen a turnover like this one in 70years of watching Everton. It definitely will take time for the team to gel and I suppose we have to be patient. These players individually are better than the sum and it is up to Koeman to get them playing like a team. We need passion, fight and determination from the players but we need Koeman and his team to drill into them positive football with less side and backward passing and to be more attack minded. Koeman also needs to pick a more balance team, three number 10's is just not working.

10.) 17 Sep 2017 00:08:24
1940 Mike what about Howard Kendall's magnificent 7, from what. I recall only Southall survived to go on to be successful a few years later, we have signed a top class goalkeeper and centre half in Keane, other than that is Klassen better than McCarthy, Davies or Gana, is Martina a better option than Kenny, would you prefer Jags or Williams, what we needed was a top class striker instead of the 4 similar players bought, I have no doubt Siggerson will step up when we have a target man, we have let Conally go out on loan, got rid of Oviedo and only got Baines for left back, for what it's worth we bought too many similar players and not brought in a left back or striker, we have to hope either Lookman or Niasse pulls us out of a tight spot we are in.

27 Jul 2017 10:28:45
Ed or Eds any sign of outgoings from the club? Namely Niaase, Garbutt and Rodriguez, no offense but it doesn't seem any of these 3 are in with a shout this season.

NBTB

{Ed025's Note - a few will be moving out NBTB with the likes of niasse and barkley top of that list, a lot will depend on who we bring in though mate..

1.) 27 Jul 2017 16:58:51
I was coming from the angle of squad numbers. They are the only players over 23 that have basically no chance of getting a chance in the first team this coming season.

I'd imagine squad numbers are getting scarce and their leaving the club may be needed to accomodate new players coming in. Squad seems to be filling up. I'd love to know exactly how many spaces we still have left to fill.

03 Jun 2017 13:58:15
I'd like some people to explain their comments I'm seeing quite regularly on here. When talking about potential signings I see comments like 'if we are aiming for top 4 player x is not good enough'.

That comment baffles me and seems to me the people making them think the only way we would get into the top 4 or win something is by buying it. Not going to happen imho. We are 'well off' but still cannot compete with the financial clout of say Man City.

I'm not knocking the club and have praised recent efforts of bringing the club forward. Just mystified by some people thinking players are 'not good enough' for us because the don't cost £50m + million and play for the likes of Barcelona or Chelsea.

NBTB

1.) 03 Jun 2017 14:58:54
I'm with you on this NBTB look at Gana £7mill and was so important for us last season, I'm looking forward to the names that Walsh has up his sleeve that will compliment our team but don't cost the earth yes maybe 1 or 2 20mill players but I'm sure out there are players who will wear the shirt and play for us no matter what its just finding them.

2.) 03 Jun 2017 16:23:05
At last some normal fans being realistic, until new ground is up and running we won't be splashing lots of cash our ground is at max with revenue, moshri is slowly increasing our revenue streams with the USM deal and new kit deal with is trebled the old deal but until we are in champions league and the ground is done we can't compete to buy the top players, we have to be clever and practical.
Sandro would be a bargain due to buy out clause, Pickford is a big risk at that sort of money, still would go with Hart as we can get him I feel and think he would come, I know this divides opinion but I would have Rooney still scored more than any of our players apart from lukaku, and anyone who thinks he does not make us better are playing to much fantasy football.

3.) 03 Jun 2017 16:39:31
Doesn't matter now how much city's owners have. They've set the club up to compete at the highest level financially within FFP rules. That's where we are lacking but are making progress, thanks to FM. I would like us to to be there as soon as possible. But here's the thing, even if we were able to spend massive, we would be one of seven teams competing for top top players. But as there's no CL for us we will just not get them.

So we get the gems instead and hope they are the right players to stick around long enough for us to break into top four and then get us some real marquee signings.

5.) 03 Jun 2017 18:40:45
OP is spot on. We need to be buying the players with the most potential to improve. Lookman looks a world beater in his age group, we might have the next Ian Wright in him. We need to use our money to move forward not to win the next game.

6.) 03 Jun 2017 19:02:43
Blimey this is a first for a while all sensible positive posts. The current state of the cub is good and we are going in the right direction both on and off the field. A few sensible additions making us stronger, both in the short term but hopefuly a couple of longer term prospects would do for me. The future is looking very exciting for EFC.

7.) 03 Jun 2017 19:10:43
If only we can get players who want to wear the shirt and turn up for every game Tom Davies comes to mind, if they put in the same commitment as him I would be on happy bunny GuernseyBlue.

10.) 04 Jun 2017 09:07:58
For us to be competitive next season we need quality players and in the peak of their playing careers. Money isn't important whether it's large or small fees being paid but the right type of player is.

City isn't a great model to use as they got the largest fine in history for breaching financial rules. However, Arsenal are and what they've done to compete is the blueprint we should follow.

They buy a couple of real quality players but also established players and that helps them develop over time. They should have kicked on by now but it's a tough league.

We need to keep investing in youth for the development team but our priority is exactly what Koeman said, we need players 26 upwards who are established and experienced that improve the team NOW not in 2 or three years.

11.) 04 Jun 2017 09:44:53
Its a cycle that is hard to get into. To play champions league we need champions league players. Champions league players will not come unless we are in the champions league.

As I said its a cycle and a tough one to get established in. Imho the club is spot on with how to get in wit a mix of tactics which is starting to work imo.

Youth, signings that are value i. e. as pointed out by lee1887 above Gana for £7m. Along with quality players Bolasie £20m or £25m forget exactly how much it was.

The club went and got the best in the land to do this. Walsh is top dog to get the right players in. Our U23's won the league and the personel involved are probably the best in the land also as they are doing a fantastic job in supplying the first team with quality youth players. Example being Holgate and Davies to mention only a few.

Imho this is the way to go and I wouldn't turn my nose up at any players. We would never of signed the likes of Coleman or Gana if we done that in the past.

The main point I made in original post was people saying players are 'not good enough'. I don't care where they come from as long as they produce the goods. Doesn't bother me when we are linked to players who are deemed 'not good enough' as I have every faith in the team put in place to recruit.

My guess is there will be more Gana's signed who will improve things. Walsh, Koeman and co will pluck players out when not many can see potential. I'm delighted with this approach as it is more sensible, practical and prudent than trying to buy success. Which we couldn't do even if we tried.

12.) 04 Jun 2017 09:56:10
100% agree if the. players that are picked by RK And S W, that is good enough for me, they are the ones in the know, not any of us cheers mate, GuernseyBlue, ps interesting almost everyone. On here agrees just the odd few don't, game of opinions as we say.

13.) 04 Jun 2017 11:17:19
I don't disagree at all NBTB with what your point is. We are starting to move up into the same category as the teams above us. However, the majority of our fans think that to do that you must buy players that are £50mil to do it when in fact it's all about quality. You also have the other end of the scale where people want bargains all the time.

If we spend £50m great if we spend £5m great as long as both of them are quality players that improve the squad. The fans of the clubs that have been spending big bucks all these years don't even look at the prices being paid and are not concerned. We need to be more like this but clearly it's going to take time to change our way of thinking.

14.) 04 Jun 2017 14:45:56
I said the same about a year ago mate. People want "marquee" signings whatever they are. I pointed out Peter Reid, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Sharp, Adrian Heath and the rest of that squad. None were "marquee" signings until Lineker arrived. then we won bugger all.

15.) 04 Jun 2017 19:16:28
Players come to us as quite low profile then are sold as marquee players for other clubs. We need to stop this cycle by getting the results in league standings that makes these players want to stay.

10 Dec 2017 15:07:41
Fair enough Swan. I did ask that you not take it personally. Obviously you did. I don't take on to know players before my time because I couldn't possibly know much about them. I was not talking down to you at all.

I obviously don't know who was interested in them at the time. There may well of been so called 'big' clubs trying to get them.

The simple point was they were 'big' names in the game and somehow Sam attracted them to Bolton of all places. I'm sure they plenty of offers elsewhere. But somehow Sam brought a good number of big names to Bolton. Which indicates to me he is persuasive.

Fair enough if you can't take that point that's your choice and that's fine. Finally, I really didn't mean anything personal.

05 Dec 2017 18:55:42
Love that post Rhapsody in Blue. Made me think of many conversations with the other half. Usually I cry with utter annoyance. Hopefully after reading your post it will be more laughing from now on. Make it all the easier to cope with.